Tablet for Kids (T4K)
Tablet for Kids (T4K) is a unique tablet-based digital literacy program designed for children aged 9-14, aimed at equipping them with modern science and high technology skills to reduce the digital divide in underprivileged communities.
Murshidabad is a district with low female literacy rates and is considered one of the most underdeveloped areas in West Bengal, India. There are no major industries, few job opportunities, and other challenges that result in low income for its residents, leading many to migrate elsewhere. The district also has high rates of child marriage and child labor. It is a major center for the beedi rolling industry, which produces traditional Indian cigarettes, where about 90% of the workers are women and children.
The program will open new opportunities for 350 children and equip them with appropriate skills, transforming them into digitally capable individuals. The program has been initiated at the Krishnasail Education Center in the Raghunathganj II block of Murshidabad District, Wet Bengal,
This project is unique for the children in these intervention areas. Not only are they getting the rare opportunity to independently use a tablet—a dream that seemed distant for them—but they are also gaining essential digital literacy skills, which are crucial in today’s world.
Informatics and Computer Basics (ICB)
The Informatics and Computer Basics (ICB) program is a modular course specifically designed for children aged 14 and above. It aims to equip them with essential concepts and understanding of informatics and computer basics, providing the digital skills necessary in today’s world.
Uttar Dinajpur, an economically disadvantaged district near the Bangladesh border, is notorious for being a source and transit point for human trafficking, with many victims facing sexual exploitation. The district also experiences significant migration, with high rates of child labor and unsafe migration.
This program has provided laptops and an LED TV for the display of sessions. The center, initiated at the Bindole Support Education Center, Raiganj of Uttar Dinajpur District, West Bengal, will impact 400 students over a year and build their digital literacy skills.
Most high schools and colleges in these areas lack the necessary infrastructure for digital skills training, limiting learning opportunities for children and youth. Access to a computer lab with curated courses in information technology will help students develop essential digital and soft skills. This training will enhance their career prospects and open new avenues for gainful employment for youth aged 18-25.
Special thanks to Terre des Hommes Suisse (TDH) for facilitating the dialogue and partnership with their local partner, SMOKUS, to create sustainable impacts.
